“Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings.” (Psalm 36:5-7 NLT)
While walking my dogs a few days ago I noticed a little lizard laying upside down on the sidewalk. We had similar little creatures when we lived in Florida that we called Geckos. The males grow to about 2.4 inches and, at least in the area where we now live, they mostly come out at night. And you may be thinking: “Who cares?” Exactly!
Like ants, flies, mosquitos, gnats, or termites, we don’t give them a thought until they begin to invade our space, then all we want is for them to be gone. Unfortunately, too often we can feel that way about people and, in ever-increasing numbers, we can begin to feel that way about ourselves. Who would even notice if we disappeared?
We see the vastness of the heavens and the enormity of the oceans. We hear about the multiplied billions of people on the planet and wonder if there’s going to be enough food and water for everyone in a few years. Like a little dead lizard on the sidewalk, we walk by without giving it a second thought. And why should we? You may wonder. Why does it even matter?
And, in the overall scheme of things, it doesn’t…if it’s a lizard. But what if it’s a family member, co-worker, neighbor, or friend? Someone living in the shadows of our lives until one day they take their lives and almost no one cares.
In a recent devotion, Ray Majoran prayed: “Admittedly, while we proclaim Your great power and declare Your sovereignty over this world, we sometimes find ourselves unraveling when we face various trials and challenges. Please help us rely on You, the One who holds all things together.” That “all things” include you and me.
When our lives begin to unravel, we tend to think we’re all alone to face whatever problem it is. I remember standing in the grocery store with fifty cents trying to find something I could buy to eat, wondering if anyone knew how desperate I was. Did anyone see me? Did anyone care? I knew intellectually that they did, but when you’re alone what you know doesn’t make you feel any better.
Loneliness is epidemic in our world today, and people are wondering if there’s even a reason to be alive. Can they justify taking up space on the planet? If you or someone you know is feeling that way, may I assure you based on the authority of God’s Word and my personal experience, the answer is a resounding “YES!”
When I was at my lowest two very critical things happened. God showed up and He sent me one person who made it clear to me that I wasn’t alone. God is ever-present, but invisible, so we need God to come to us with “skin on.” We need someone we can see, hear, touch, and with whom we can cry and by whom we can be held. Dear friend, the Lord sees you, loves you, cares about every detail of your life and will send you someone who will walk with you through this difficult season. Please don’t push them away.
And, by God’s grace, if you’re doing well, please be on the lookout for someone for whom you can be Jesus. It will not only change that person’s life, but yours as well.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 